Defense Finance and Accounting Service

LEAD ACCOUNTANT

Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field with 24 semester hours in accounting required.
  • 4 years of accounting experience or equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
  • Must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-12 level in Federal service.
  • Certification as a CPA or Certified Internal Auditor is an asset.
  • Proof of education or certification must be submitted with application.

Responsibilities

  • Communicate the organization's mission and values to the team.
  • Distribute team assignments based on workflow and skill levels.
  • Monitor progress and quality of work to ensure objectives are met.
  • Act as an expert in accounting policies and procedures during major changes.
  • Identify areas for improvement in operating programs.

Benefits

  • Paid moving expenses for new hires.
  • Comprehensive benefits package available for employees and their families.
  • Potential for temporary promotions with no further competition.
  • Limited telework options available on a case-by-case basis.
  • Required to obtain/maintain Financial Management Certification.
Full Job Description
Summary

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit USA Hire Assessment.

Duties

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  • Communicates the organization's mission, vision, and values to the team and ensures they are integrated into team goals, objectives, work plans, products and services.
  • Distributes team assignments among team members in accordance with workflow, skill level and specialization.
  • Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, checks work in progress and upon completion for quality, adherence to instructions and to ensure objectives are met.
  • Serves as an expert in accounting procedures and policy compliance in the development and implementation of major operating policy and procedural changes.
  • Identifies problem areas and determines actions required to improve operating program effectiveness and/or maintain the integrity of accounting records and financial information.


Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen
  • This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
  • Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
  • Suitable for Federal employment
  • Time after Competitive Appointment: Candidates must have served 3 months after latest competitive appointment in the Federal service.
  • Time in Grade Requirement - see the Qualifications field below for more details.
  • Obtain/Maintain Financial Management Certification
  • New employees to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.


Qualifications

This position has a positive education requirement. To qualify for this position you must meet one of the basic requirements described below:

(1) Completion of all requirements for a bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited college or university; or a degree in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law.

OR

(2) Candidates may also qualify through a combination of education and experience: At least 4 years of accounting experience or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge AND 24 semester hours in accounting/auditing courses, which may include up to 6 hours of business law, OR a certificate as a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.

You MUST send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, qualified applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-12) in the Federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is defined as: providing professional accounting services or management advice to customers in the application of accounting theories, concepts, principles or standards to independently negotiate solutions for issues related to operational accounting and finance work.

You may qualify for consideration if meeting specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

Education

Education requirements are listed in the Qualifications section above.

Additional information

  • Moving expenses will be paid.
  • The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
  • For positions where relocation is paid (see Location block of vacancy announcement), you can learn more about relocation allowances and entitlements.
  • Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need.
  • We may use this announcement to make a temporary promotion. For some positions, the temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition.
  • Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
  • As a condition of employment, you may be required to serve a 1 year probationary period during which we'll evaluate whether your continued employment advances the public interest. The evaluation will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment advances agency or governmental goals; and whether your continued employment advances the efficiency of the Federal service. At the end of the probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.?
  • We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 120 days of the closing date.
  • This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  • Travel requirement is Seldom (1-24%).
  • This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.
  • Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, here.
  • The Security Designation will vary and dependent upon position and may require a secret clearance or higher. Employment in this position requires a background investigation which may delay starting date. If you are selected and cannot obtain a favorable security determination within a reasonable period of time due to disclosed/undisclosed background issues, the employment offer may be withdrawn. Individuals selected are required to obtain/maintain a favorable security determination to occupy a sensitive position within the agency as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain eligibility to occupy a sensitive position may result in termination. For more information see the security section of Understanding Vacancy Announcements.
  • In accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1300.26, "Operation of the DoD Financial Management Certification Program," this position requires a Level 2 Certification under the DoD Financial Management (FM) Certification Program as a condition of employment. If he or she is not already certified at this level, the incumbent of this position must obtain this certification within two (2) years of entry on duty into this FM position. Once certified, the incumbent must meet the continuing education training requirement as outlined in DoDI 1300.26.


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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

About Defense Finance and Accounting Service

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) agency responsible for finance and accounting services. DFAS provides payment services to the United States Department of Defense and various other federal agencies. The agency's headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. DFAS was established in 1991 under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer to strengthen and reduce costs of financial management and operations within DoD.
Learn more about Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Size
12,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1991

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